Gathering device and a method of gathering

ABSTRACT

A gathering device and method for gathering a gown are disclosed. The gathering device comprises a sheet having an opening therein, and at least one cord affixed in a slip fashion along the perimeter of the sheet. At least a portion of the cord is exposed. The opening of the sheet may be elastic; or it may comprise means for obtaining a friction hold on an object located in the opening. The gathering device may comprise two cords affixed in a slip fashion along the perimeter, and that each cord has a portion thereof exposed. The disclosed method of gathering a gown includes the steps of stepping into an opening of a sheet while wearing a gown, taking hold of a cord affixed to the perimeter of the sheet in a slip fashion, and pulling on the cord to cause the gown to be gathered.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional filing U.S. 61/402,957filed on Sep. 8, 2010.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

Often, wedding gowns or other formal attire for women are worn with atrain, are floor-length, or are worn in a version known as hi-lo, inwhich the front of the gown is short, perhaps shin length, and the backof the gown is floor-length or longer.

In each of the above cases, it is common for the dress or gown to becomesoiled. Minimal attempts have been made in the past to address thisissue. Prior to a wedding ceremony, or in the course of taking pictures,a bride often has assistants who follow her about, carrying portions ofthe dress in an attempt to prevent the dress from dragging in soil. Inthe case of other formal attire, women are left to ungracefully hike uptheir gowns in an attempt to prevent the gown from becoming soiled. Bothmethods are generally unsuccessful, and a bride or woman attending aformal event commonly arrives with a soiled dress.

Some devices have been developed to gather a dress or to assist inadjusting a dress, as discussed below.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,059 to Speer discloses a train hoop that includes awrist attachment for enabling a bride to adjust the location of hertrain. This device, however, does not address the issue of preventingthe train from becoming soiled.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,231 to Stevens discloses a gathering clip for bridaland other gown trains that is removably securable to the insidestructure of the garment along a back central seam allowance therein.This device is meant to be secured to the gown in a semi-permanentmanner. That is, it is to be worn throughout an evening, at a weddingreception perhaps, and not used as a means for quickly gathering a gownup for a woman to cross a soiled path to a church or formal gathering.It should also be noted that the device disclosed in the '231 patentmust be secured in a private setting, as it requires that the gown belifted completely, thus exposing the wearer, and that the device must besecured by a person other than the wearer of the gown.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,232 to Pryor discloses a device for supporting atrain of a bridal gown having a hoop member with an interior area havinga bar extending there across so as to define a first train receivingarea and a second train receiving area within the hoop member and a clipconnected to the hoop member so as to allow the hoop member to beaffixed to a back side of the bridal gown. Similarly to the devicedisclosed in the '231 patent, the device disclosed in the '232 patent isintended for use in a semi-permanent manner, and requires that the gownbe lifted completely for attachment by a person other than the gownwearer.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,606 to Luckabaugh discloses a bridal train foradjustably positioning relative to a ground surface. This device,although it may be adjusted by the bride herself, is not meant to beused as a quick or short-term solution. The device also requires thatthe bride wear an extra layer of material with the bridal gown at alltimes. This is not a practical solution in an era of thin, light,flowing gowns.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,774,726 to Garret discloses an adjustable dress whichincludes an adjustable crinoline or slip, and adjustable over skirt andan adjustable blouse. These adjustable means are meant to besemi-permanent as well.

U.S. Design Pat. Des. 248,900 to Weitzbuch illustrates a design for atrain ring.

There therefore remains a need for a device and method for temporarilygathering a gown off the ground in a very quick manner.

SUMMARY

The gathering device of the present invention addresses the aboveproblem by providing means and a method for gathering a gown up and offof the ground.

The gathering device of the present invention comprises a sheet havingan opening therein, and at least one cord affixed in a slip fashionalong the perimeter of the sheet. At least a portion of the cord isexposed.

In one embodiment, the opening of the sheet is elastic; or it maycomprise means for obtaining a friction hold on an object located in theopening.

The cord may comprise an elastic portion therein, and it may be acontinuous loop.

It is also contemplated that the gathering device comprise two cordsaffixed in a slip fashion along the perimeter, and that each cord has aportion thereof exposed. In this case, the exposed portions should belocated substantially opposite each other. The cords might be continuousloops.

In another embodiment, a hem along the perimeter of the sheetsubstantially encloses the cord or cords in a slip fashion along thelength of the cord or cords other than an exposed portion to allow aperson to pull on the cord or cords.

A plurality of loops affixed along the perimeter of the sheet may beutilized to affix the cord or cords in a slip fashion along the lengthof the cord or cords. A plurality of openings along the perimeter of thesheet may also be used to achieve the same function.

A handle or handles may be attached to the cord or cords at the exposedportion.

A method of gathering a gown is also disclosed, wherein the methodincludes the steps of stepping into an opening of a sheet while wearinga gown, taking hold of a cord affixed to the perimeter of the sheet in aslip fashion, and pulling on the cord to cause the gown to be gathered.

The method of gathering a gown may include the step of obtaining afriction hold against one's leg through the use of an elastic opening.

The method of gathering a gown may include the step of expanding anelastic portion of the cord.

Finally, the gathering device may comprise two cords, and the method maycomprise the step of pulling in opposite directions on an exposedportion of each cord to cause the gown to gather.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a section view of an embodiment of the present invention inthe ungathered position.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention in thegathered position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionin use with a gown.

DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention is shownin a section view. The gathering device 10 as shown in this embodimentcomprises a sheet 11, an opening 12, two drawstrings 13, and two handles14.

For the purpose of this application, the term “sheet” shall beunderstood to mean a thin flexible piece of any material; some examplesinclude fabric, plastic, metal, or a combination thereof.

Similarly, the term “cord” shall refer to a slender length of anyflexible material, including, but not limited to, a drawstring, string,strand, twisted strands or fibers, a length of plastic, a length ofmetal, or a combination thereof.

Returning again to FIG. 1, the embodiment shown is designed such thatthe opening 12 in the sheet 11 has an elastic feature to it. That is,the opening, when placed around an object, such as a woman's legs, willobtain a friction hold such that the gathering device 10 couldconveniently be held in a position above the ground. It should beunderstood by those skilled in the art that the elastic feature of theopening is not necessary. The invention would function as intended witha mere opening or slit in the sheet; however, it is thought by theinventor that the elastic feature provides more comfort to the user.

Optionally, and not shown in the figures, the opening 12 in the sheet 11may comprise a dividing feature. The dividing feature is preferably abutton and loop feature positioned such that the user of the gatheringdevice 10, after placing her feet through the opening 12, may divide theopening 12 into two compartments, one for each leg, but buttoning orotherwise attaching a portion of the front to a portion of the back. Itis also contemplated that a dividing feature may be permanentlyincorporated into the opening 12 of the gathering device 10. A permanentdividing feature might, for example, be implemented in the form of anelastic band spanning the diameter of the opening 12. Another dividingfeature might be achieved through the use of two separate openings 12,each comprising means for obtaining a friction hold on a user.

Continuing with the same figure, the embodiment shown comprises twocords 13. The cords 13 are attached around the perimeter of the sheet ina slip fashion. In this embodiment, the perimeter of the sheet 11 isfolded over the cords 13 and sewn together such that the cords 13 slipfreely in the hem. For the purpose of this application, the term “slipfashion” shall be understood to refer to the case in which an item, suchas a cord 13 is attached so that it can slip along the attached area,such as the perimeter of the sheet 11. When a user pulls in oppositedirections on the cords 13 simultaneously, the perimeter of thegathering device 10 will close in upon itself. It will be understood bythose skilled in the art that a hem is not the only manner in which thecords 13 may be attached to the perimeter in a slip fashion. Otheraffixation means include, but are not limited to, corded loops attachedto the sheet 11, or even a plurality of openings around the perimeter ofthe sheet 11.

Although the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is shown with two cords 13, itis contemplated that a single cord 13 be used. In such a case, theexposed portion of the cord would be towards the front of the user, asopposed to two sides, so that the user could pull the cord 13 up andtowards her midsection. An elastic feature in the cord 13 may assist inthe gathering function. While these and other means for gathering arecontemplated, it is believed by the inventor that a hem is the mostaesthetically pleasing of the options available, given the most commonintended use for the gathering device 10 is in a formal setting.

It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that, althoughshown as continuous loops in the embodiment shown, the cords 13 need notbe continuous loops. The choice of whether the cords 13 are continuousis merely an aesthetic one.

Continuing still with FIG. 1, the embodiment shown includes handles 14on the portions of the cords 13 which extend out of the hemmed area.These handles 14 may merely be decorative, disguise seams in the cords13, or they may assist in maintaining optimum positioning of the cords13 by preventing the cords 13 from slipping into the hemmed area. Thislast case applies most to an embodiment (not shown) in which the cords13 are not continuous loops.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a method of gathering is disclosed.

As mentioned previously, there remains a need to quickly and temporarilygather up a gown, in particular just before entering a formal situationsuch as a wedding. A solution to this problem is to use a gatheringdevice 10 having an opening 12 therein and a cord 13 affixed in a slipfashion about the perimeter. A woman in a gown can step into the opening12 by either placing the gathering device 10 on the floor, or holding itnear the floor, and then pulling on the cord 13 to force the gatheringdevice 10 to pull up and around her gown. The cord 13 may have anoptional elastic portion therein. Some adjustments to ensure the gown isgathered may be necessary; despite any such needed adjustments, such amethod is quick, convenient, and also quickly reversible. When the womanarrives at the formal function, she can simply let the cord 13 loosenand allow the gathering device 10 to fall to the ground.

When using an equivalent of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, awoman wearing a gown may gather her gown by laying a gathering device 10on the floor, or holding it near the floor, stepping into the opening12, taking both cords 13 into her hands, and pulling up towards hersides and/or away from her person. Because the cords 13 are exposed forpulling substantially opposite one another, the act of pulling causesthe gathering device 10 to gather the perimeter up and around the gown,as shown in FIG. 3.

The method of gathering a gown may include the step of fastening adividing feature so as to create an opening that is essentially two.Alternatively, the method may include the step of stepping one leg intoeach of two openings.

Optionally, the method of gathering a gown includes the step ofobtaining a friction hold against a person's legs. This may be obtained,for example, by utilizing an elastic opening 12 in the gathering device10.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed herein, it will be obvious that such embodiments are providedby way of example only. Numerous variations, changes and substitutionsmay be made without departing from the invention herein. Accordingly, itis intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scopeof the claims.

1. A gathering device, comprising: a sheet having an opening therein,and at least one cord affixed in a slip fashion along the perimeter ofsaid sheet, said cord having a portion thereof exposed.
 2. The gatheringdevice of claim 1, wherein: said opening of said sheet is elastic. 3.The gathering device of claim 1, wherein: said opening of said sheetcomprises means for obtaining a friction hold on an object located insaid opening.
 4. The gathering device of claim 1, wherein: said openingof said sheet comprises a dividing feature.
 5. The gathering device ofclaim 4, wherein: said dividing feature consists one of: a loop andbutton feature, an elastic band spanning said opening, and a pair ofopenings.
 6. The gathering device of claim 1, wherein: said cordcomprises an elastic portion therein.
 7. The gathering device of claim1, wherein: said cord is a continuous loop.
 8. The gathering device ofclaim 1, comprising: two cords affixed in a slip fashion along theperimeter, each cord having a portion thereof exposed, each said exposedportion being located substantially opposite the other.
 9. The gatheringdevice of claim 8, wherein: said cords are continuous loops.
 10. Thegathering device of claim 1, wherein: a hem along the perimeter of saidsheet substantially encloses said cord in a slip fashion along thelength of said cord other than said exposed portion.
 11. The gatheringdevice of claim 1, wherein: a plurality of loops affixed along theperimeter of said sheet affix said cord in a slip fashion along thelength of said cord.
 12. The gathering device of claim 1, wherein: aplurality of openings along the perimeter of said sheet affix said cordin a slip fashion along the perimeter of said sheet.
 13. The gatheringdevice of claim 1, wherein: said cord comprises a handle in said exposedportion.
 14. A method of gathering a gown using a sheet, said sheethaving an opening therein and at least one cord affixed in a slipfashion along the perimeter of said sheet, comprising the steps of:stepping into said opening of said sheet while wearing a gown, takinghold of said cord, and pulling on said cord to cause the gown to begathered.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein: said opening is elastic,and said method further comprises the step of obtaining a friction holdagainst one's leg.
 16. The method of claim 14 wherein: said openingcomprises means for obtaining a friction hold against one's leg, andsaid method further comprises the step of obtaining a friction holdagainst one's leg.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein: said cordcomprises an elastic portion, said elastic portion expanding to enable agathering of the perimeter.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein: saidgathering device comprises two cords, and the method further comprisesthe step of: pulling in opposite directions on an exposed portion ofeach cord to cause the gown to gather.
 19. The method of claim 14comprising the step of dividing said opening.
 20. The method of claim14, wherein the method comprises the step of stepping into two openings.